Fashion accessories with interchangeable portions

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to fashion accessories. More particularly it relates to footwear and handbags having interchangeable portions. The object of the present invention is to provide an improved securing form adapted to various interchangeable portions, so the appearance of footwear and handbags may be changed quickly and easily by replacing only the interchangeable portion of said footwear and handbags.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/104,848, filed Mar. 22, 2002, entitled Ladies Accessories with Interchangeable Portions.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to fashion accessories. More particularly it relates to ladies footwear and handbags having interchangeable portions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

[0003] In the field of fashion accessories, including ladies footwear and handbags, wearers differ in individual tastes and financial resources. Purchasing many different shoes or handbags to match different outfits, particularly for women, can be prohibitively expensive. Therefore, there exists a need for people to have the ability to customize their own footwear and handbags according to their individual needs. For example, individual persons often prefer a wide range of styles and colors of footwear and handbags. Also, individual persons have limited monetary budgets or storage space, but require a number of footwear and handbag styles to match various styles of dress.

[0004] Due to these factors, many different styles of footwear and handbags have been developed based on the person's individual tastes, budgets and needs. Therefore, it is desirable for a person to select a base style he/she prefers and then customize the footwear and/or handbag to his/her particular tastes and needs.

[0005] Numerous innovations for footwear and ladies handbags having interchangeable components have been provided in the prior art that are described below. Even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, they differ from the present invention as hereinafter contrasted.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,581,910 to Lewis, et al discloses a shoe with an interchangeable heel. This patent differs from the present invention because only the heel may be changed, not the color or style of the upper.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,800,900 to Mitchell, et al and U.S. Pat. No. 6,115,948 also to Mitchell, et al both disclose a method to display decorative attachments for articles of clothing and footwear. This patent differs from the present invention because only a small patch or logo can be interchanged, instead of the appearance of the entire shoe.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 3,983,642 to Liao, et al discloses a shoe with interchangeable uppers. This patent differs from the present invention because it uses a complex arrangement of strings, straps, and hooks to secure the upper portion of the shoe instead of using the much more simple and convenient fastener commonly referred to by its trademark “Velcro”. In addition to “Velcro,” it should be understood that any other fasteners could be used, such as a zipper or other fastening means.

[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,533,280 to Halliday, et al discloses a shoe with interchangeable components. This patent differs from the present invention because the entire shoe is made up of interchangeable components instead of the greater simplicity and convenience of only interchangeable uppers.

[0010] Numerous innovations for footwear and ladies handbags with interchangeable components have been provided in the prior art that are adapted to be used. Even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, they would not be suitable for the purposes of the present invention as hereinafter described.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The present invention describes fashion accessories with interchangeable portions enabling the differently styled and colored portions to be easily removed or added to suit the tastes of the individual user.

[0012] For conventional shoes, one big disadvantage is the expense involved in purchasing new pairs of shoes with different colors and styles. The present invention provides a simple and cost-effective method for easily and quickly changing the upper portion of the shoe, thus resulting in a completely different appearance of the shoe.

[0013] This invention enables users to custom-design the appearance of their own footwear according to their individual needs. This concept provides for flexibility in the styling by working around a basic architecture. The process involves a multiplicity of fabric patterns that can be used directly the individual to create their own personalized “Exterior Fabric Attachments.” This process can be packaged as a Kit, which will include attachable hook and loop fasteners cut into strips along with a pattern for a particular style of Exterior Fabric Attachment. The pattern will also have measurements for various shoe or handbag sizes. The advantage of the Kit is ability of the individual to buy off-the-shelf shoes/handbags and purchase said Kits for the Exterior Fabric Attachments of choice, thus creating their own Exterior Fabrics. This is accomplished by:

[0014] 1. Cutting the fabric of choice along the guides provided by the pattern;

[0015] 2. Sewing the “Velcro” strips along the edge of the fabric as illustrated by the pattern;

[0016] 3. Cutting the “Velcro” strips along the edges of the shoes/handbags;

[0017] 4. Gluing the “Velcro” strips along the edges of the shoes/handbags;

[0018] 5. Attaching the Exterior Fabric to the shoes/handbags.

[0019] Anyone who needs a variety of differently styled shoes should find this invention an ideal alternative to the cost and inconvenience of owning many different pairs of shoes.

[0020] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide the ability to a user to custom-design the look, style and utility of their own footwear or accessories according to their individual needs.

[0021] More particularly, it is an object of the present invention to provide footwear with interchangeable fabric covers for the uppers that are attached to the shoe by hook and loop fasteners, commonly referred to by the trademark “Velcro”. In addition to “Velcro,” it should be understood that any other fasteners could be used, such as a zipper or other fastening means.

[0022] In keeping with these objects, and with others, which will become apparent hereinafter, one feature of the present invention, briefly stated, is that various styles of footwear can be achieved.

[0023] When the footwear with interchangeable fabric covers for the uppers is designed in accordance with the present invention, the covers can be changed in seconds.

[0024] In accordance with another feature of the present invention, no buckles, strings, or straps are required to attach the fabric covers for the uppers to the shoe.

[0025] Another feature of the present invention is that the fabric covers are small and light enough that a plurality of different styles can be easily carried with the owner in a purse or pocket.

[0026] Still another feature of the present invention is that it greatly reduces the need for multiple pairs of shoes and will save a tremendous amount of closet space within one's home or in one's luggage while traveling.

[0027] Still yet another feature of the present invention is that the fashion requirements of the consumer (a multiplicity of styles and complimentary designs for one's entire wardrobe) will be met in a way that is both practical and cost-efficient.

[0028] Still another feature of the present invention is that it can also be applied to a ladies handbag, thus allowing the consumer a wider range of handbag styles and designs without the cost or storage space necessary to actually own many different handbags.

[0029] It should be understood that while the above and other advantages and results of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings, showing the contemplated novel construction, combinations and elements as herein described, and more defined by the appended claims, it is understood that changes in the precise embodiments of the herein disclosed invention are meant to be included within the scope of the claims, except insofar as they may be precluded by the prior art.

[0030] The novel features which are considered characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] In the drawings:

[0032]FIG. 1 is top side view of the invention illustrating the securing areas for the exterior fabric attachment of the shoe and the exterior fabric attachment itself. In this embodiment the shoe is a high heel design.

[0033]FIG. 2 is a top view of the invention illustrating the securing areas for the exterior fabric attachment of the handbag and the exterior fabric attachment itself

[0034]FIG. 3 is a top view of the invention illustrating the completed shoe and handbag with the exterior fabric attachment in place.

[0035]FIG. 4 is a top view of the invention illustrating the securing areas for the exterior fabric attachment of the shoe with alternate exterior fabric attachment. In this embodiment the shoe is a high heel design.

[0036]FIG. 5 is a top view of the invention illustrating the completed shoe with an alternate exterior fabric attachment in place.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] Although specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings, it should be understood that such embodiments are by way of example only and merely illustrative of but a small number of the many possible specific embodiments which can represent applications of the principles of the present invention. Various changes and modifications obvious to one skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains are deemed to be within the spirit, scope and contemplation of the present invention as further defined in the appended claims.

[0038] The present invention is directed to fashion accessories with interchangeable portions. The essential part of the invention is interchangeable portions and their securing areas, which comprise strips of the hook and loop fastener commonly referred to by the trademark “Velcro.” In addition to “Velcro,” it should be understood that any other fasteners could be used, such as a zipper or other fastening means.

[0039]FIG. 1 is a top view of the present invention in a high heel shoe design embodiment. The present invention consists of the exterior fabric attachment 1 cut according to a pattern with “Velcro” strips 2 sewn along the edge of said exterior fabric attachment. This exterior fabric attachment assembly is perfectly sized to fit over the off-the-shelf shoe 3, securing to the corresponding “Velcro” strips 4 attached to the side of said shoe.

[0040]FIG. 2 is a top view of the present invention in the handbag design embodiment. The present invention consists of the exterior fabric attachment 1 cut according to a pattern with “Velcro” strips 2 sewn along the edge of said exterior fabric attachment. This exterior fabric attachment assembly is perfectly sized to fit over the off-the-shelf handbag 3, securing to the corresponding “Velcro” strips 4 attached to the sides of said handbag.

[0041]FIG. 3 is a top view of the present invention illustrating the completed shoe 1 and handbag 2 assembly with the exterior fabric attachment 3 secured.

[0042]FIG. 4 is a top view of the present invention illustrating the completed shoe 1 with an alternative exterior fabric attachment 2 cut according to a pattern that is perfectly sized to fit over said shoe.

[0043]FIG. 5 is a top view of the present invention illustrating the completed shoe 1 with the alternative exterior fabric attachment 2 secured.

[0044] The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention is illustrative and exemplary therefore and various changes in the size, shape and materials, as well as in the details of the illustrated constructions may be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention. 

I claim:
 1. A method of assembling a fashion accessory with interchangeable portions, comprising: cutting a fabric of choice along the guides provided by a pattern; sewing hook and loop fastener strips along the edge of said fabric as illustrated by said pattern; cutting the hook and loop fastener strips to be glued to the fashion accessory as illustrated by said pattern; gluing the hook and loop fastener strips along the edge of said fashion accessory; attaching the said fabric to said fashion accessory.
 2. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said fashion accessory is a shoe.
 3. A method in accordance with claim 2, wherein said method is packaged as a Kit.
 4. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said fashion accessory is a handbag. 